About UVL
UVL designs and supplies ultraviolet disinfection systems for air and water treatment, specializing in customized solutions for the food, healthcare, agricultural, and infrastructure sectors. Every project is engineered to meet both technical and spatial constraints while ensuring compliance with industry-specific hygiene standards.
Facility Overview
We were approached by a dairy processing plant seeking to improve air quality in its production zones. The facility operates a centralized ventilation system, supplying outdoor air that is filtered and tempered before distribution. Because of the continuous processing cycle, halting operations for even a few hours would result in significant losses, making any engineering modifications extremely sensitive.
The target area included several connected production rooms with ongoing personnel presence. The incoming air had to meet a sanitary air quality rating of 99% (SA category).
The Problem
Previously, the facility used ozonators and recirculating UV units, which proved unreliable:
- Ozonators frequently shut down due to excess ozone concentration
- Recirculators required frequent maintenance
- Air disinfection levels failed to meet hygiene standards
- Personnel reported discomfort from ozone exposure
A site assessment revealed that the main source of contamination was incoming air. The facility sought a non-chemical, stable solution that could be integrated into the existing ventilation infrastructure without changing its layout.
Site Specifications
- Facility type: Dairy production
- Required UV dose: 256 J/m³
- Air velocity: up to 6.5 m/s
- Duct cross-section: 1000×700 mm (rectangular), 800 mm (circular)
- Available straight duct length: ~2 meters
- Air intake: from outside, filtered and passed through a heat exchanger
- Minimum disinfection standard: 99% pathogen reduction
The Solution: Lamp-Based UV Integration Without Replacing the Ventilation Section
Due to limited access and constraints on system modifications, our engineering team proposed a lamp-based integration approach instead of installing a pre-assembled UV section. We supplied a modular amalgam UV lamp system that could be directly installed within the ventilation ducts using custom mounting clips.
Equipment Supplied
- UV-C Lamps: Flow-series amalgam lamps (UVL ANTS 500/144-P2-2-28 FLOW)
- UV output: 160 W
- Lamp length: 383 mm
- Electronic Ballasts: Model L-220-1x500-2222-18 (3.2 A)
- Cables and Connectors: Ceramic 4P SE connectors, 10 m length
- Mounting Hardware: Clips for secure in-duct mounting
- Control Unit: With lamp runtime indicator and status display
Although an RS-485 integration was originally considered, we instead provided a standalone control cabinet with local monitoring due to equipment availability. The client also requested spare lamps to ensure continuous operation.
Deployment and Result
UVL quickly provided two proposals — one for a complete UV section and another for the component-based retrofit. The client selected the latter, as it aligned with internal engineering policies and avoided any production downtime.
The entire kit was delivered promptly, and installation was completed in-house without third-party contractors. Importantly, the work was carried out without stopping the ventilation system or disassembling ductwork.
Post-installation testing confirmed a UV dose of 256 J/m³, meeting the required disinfection threshold. Staff reported improved indoor air conditions and the absence of ozone odor.
A Note from UVL
We thank the facility team for their collaboration. This project demonstrates how UV air disinfection can be successfully implemented without disrupting production or modifying the ventilation system. Our approach ensures both microbiological effectiveness and engineering flexibility tailored to real operating conditions.
Looking to upgrade your facility’s air hygiene without halting operations?
Let UVL design a custom UV disinfection solution—from concept to commissioning.
